I've wanted to make Limoncello for a long, long time. For whatever reason, I never seemed to get there.
This year, I changed all that. I happened to be at my local craft store one day and spotted these clear bottles.
Immediately my mind went to Limoncello. From there, I think you know how the story goes :)
Yes, I'm aware that I spelled the name wrong. Don't worry, I'm going to fix that straight away. But besides that this bottle is really, really cute don't you think?
I determined that I didn't want to make my Limoncello as sweet as some of the others I've tasted so I decided to cut back on the sugar and substitute some blue agave syrup in its place.
I also wanted to step out of the Limoncello "box" "bottle" (as it were) and add the slight flavor of thyme because I think it goes so well with lemon and, lets face it, I needed to put my own stamp on things. LOL
Now let's get busy with this recipe and another one to follow for Cuba Libra Rum (lime infused rum).
Cheers to that!
LIMONCELLO WITH THYME {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Makes 2 bottles
10-12 Lemons, zested
1/2 cup blue agave syrup
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups water
8-10 stems of fresh thyme
1 - 1.75 liter bottle of Vodka (Your choice of brands)
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (I like my limoncello tart and not too sweet. You may want to adjust the amount of lemon juice to suit your own tastes)
Cheesecloth for bottling
-In a very large glass or ceramic bowl, add all the lemon zest, being careful not to include too much of the pith (white part) because that will make your limoncello bitter. Set aside.
-In a saucepan over medium heat, add the water, sugar, blue agave syrup, the thyme sprigs and some lemon zest.
-Heat until the sugar has dissolved and the thyme leaves have infused some of their flavor. Let cool.
-In the large bowl with the lemon zest, add the vodka and the cooled sugar/thyme mixture.
-Stir well and cover.
-Allow the limoncello to sit for two weeks to completely infuse off the the flavors.
-After two weeks time, taste you limoncello and adjust the flavors if you need it more tart or more sweet (add more lemon juice if you want it more tart or add some more agave syrup if you want it a little sweeter.)
-Using some cheesecloth inside a funnel, you are now ready to strain your limoncello into the bottle of your choice. (I added a little lemon zest and some thyme sprigs just for fun).
Thanks for helping your mom make the limoncello Adam! I couldn't have done it without you! You are one excellent lemon zester!!! :)
"If I could save thyme in a bottle" LOL. Get it? Jim Croce reference :)
See, I told you I was going to fix the spelling error :)
-Cork and refrigerate until you're ready to enjoy...RESPONSIBLY!
Next up: Cuba Libra Rum
This one shouldn't be sweet at all. It's a mixer an not intended to be drank on it's own.
CUBA LIBRA RUM - makes 2 bottles {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
10- 12 limes, zested
1 - 1.75 liter bottle of rum (your choice of brand)
1/2 - 1 cup of lime juice
cheesecloth
-In a large ceramic or glass bowl, add the lime zest, rum and lime juice.
-Allow to sit on for 2 weeks for the flavors to infuse.
-Using cheesecloth and a funnel, strain the Cuba Libra Rum into a bottle of your choice.
-Cork and enjoy (responsibly, of course)!
This rum goes well with any sort of tropical rum themed drink you can think of or just with a bit of diet coke and a few good friends. LOL
Cheers to THAT!
I hope you've enjoyed these two fun infused cocktails and the bottles I've painted to show them off in.
If you would be interested in having your own custom painted bottles, for whatever flavor alcohol you infuse, contact me or visit my shop (located in the navigation bar) for additional information on how to order. We're only limited by our imaginations here, and you know what that means...There are no limits!!!
Come and visit me again, won't you?
I always have something fun cookin' up in my Kudos Kitchen ~ Where food and art collide on a regular basis!
Until we drink again,
Labels: cooking tutorial, custom painted bottles, drinks and cocktails, gifts from the kitchen, glass painting, infused rum, infused vodka, kitchen table, lemons, limes, recipe, rum, Travel the world, vodka
